Local Rhinelander Headlines

EAGLE RIVER - Eagle River businesses wait all year for snowmobile derby season. Both the vintage and derby weekends are some of the busiest for local hotels and restaurants each year. January and February are the 3rd and 4th busiest months for the Best Western Derby Inn. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Many Northwoods students will take their next career step, starting Friday. Spring semester classes begin Friday at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. Full story: WJFW

BERLIN - The Berlin Area School District has renewed discussions about its Indian mascot in light of a new state law. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction originally told the district it would have to change the mascot. Full story: WJFW

OGEMA - Parents read to their children at a young age to stimulate their mind. But have you ever thought of reading excessively to them? That's what one local library is promoting. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - An assistant Wisconsin state superintendent says revising academic standards every six years would create legal, technical and other issues that make a Republican-backed proposal to do that unworkable. Assistant superintendent Sheila Briggs testified against the bill before the Assembly Education Committee on Wednesday. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - The latest attempt to restrict public access to a popular online court records database is being circulated in the Legislature. Rep. Mary Czaja (CHI'-ah), of Irma, and Sen. Glenn Grothman, of West Bend, are circulating a bill that would remove cases from the database in which charges were dismissed, the person was found not guilty or the case was overturned on appeal. Full story: WJFW

HURLEY - Last October, Nikia Burchette brought a 14-year-old girl from the Milwaukee area to Mercer. On Wednesday, an Iron County jury found Burchette guilty of child sex trafficking and child abuse. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Mike Boyd wants to buy the former Wisconsin Public Service near the courthouse in Rhinelander. Boyd owns Boys Financial Services. His business is growing and needs more space. Full story: WJFW

HARSHAW - UPDATE-- Wednesday, January 15 8:42 a.m. We know now the names of three people who died after a propane tanker and a car collided on Highway 51 near Harshaw Tuesday afternoon. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - All criminal cases in Wisconsin would require a 12-person jury under a bill passed by the Wisconsin Assembly. In the past, the state Supreme Court ruled the Wisconsin Constitution requires a 12-person jury in all criminal cases. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a bill affecting Medicaid coverage. The bill relates to a three-month coverage delay Gov. Scott Walker requested, and the Legislature approved, last month. That pushed back from January until April when 77,000 people just above the federal poverty line will lose Medicaid coverage. Full story: WJFW

LAC DU FLAMBEAU - Some members of the Lac du Flambeau tribe believe they should amend an article of the tribes constitution. The tribe is its own sovereign nation. Full story: WJFW

WAUSAU - Weather like this means preparation and work for highway departments across the Northwoods. The Marathon County highway department will use its 36 trucks to plow throughout the day. More than five inches have hit some parts of the area. But the Marathon County operations director calls this a nice winter storm. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Snowmobilers from far away can find The Northwoods when the snow is good. The last four years, there were fewer snowmobilers in the area because of bad snowmobiling conditions. The lakes didn’t freeze over early enough. Full story: WJFW